Recently the Washington Times published a commentary by President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) slamming former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) on the issue of the Diaoyutai Islands’ (釣魚台) sovereignty (“The Diaoyutai Islands: ROC Territory,” Aug. 23). The litany of “historical evidence” recited by Ma to assert title to these islands represents but one claimant’s view. Competing claims abound.
However, the facts show that in 1972 Japan regained, and has since retained, administrative control of the Diaoyutai Islands — known in Japan as the Senkakus. This was made possible by the Okinawa Reversion Agreement passed by the US to which Japan surrendered the islands at the conclusion of World War II.
In 2013, referring to the US policy on the Senkaku Islands, US Secretary of State John Kerry said: “… we do recognize that they are under the administration of Japan.”
On April 27 this year, Kerry said: “Washington’s commitment to Japan’s security remains ironclad and covers all territories under Japan’s administration, including the Senkaku Islands.”
This is an unambiguous indication that the US would risk war with China, or any other invader, in order to defend the islands in accordance with the US-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security.
Relative calm has settled over the islands in recent months. Ma is being quixotic in his approach by pressing the Republic of China’s (ROC) ownership now. As the leader of Taiwan, he should stop being a thorn in the side of the US and Japan. To stave off annexation by China, Taiwan needs to partner with both of these countries.
It is also unwise for Ma to claim the Diaoyutai Islands for the ROC. To do so is tantamount to bestowing the territory to the People’s Republic of China, that is, communist China. In an international forum, such as the Washington Times, readers are unlikely to differentiate the ROC from the People’s Republic of China. Both monikers are simply equated with communist China. After all, that is the China the overwhelming majority of the world’s nations recognize. In effect, Ma serves as China’s stooge to challenge the US and Japan in the East China Sea.
The US and Japan are to conduct a joint military exercise soon, codenamed Operation Dawn Blitz, for regaining a remote island. Instead of perpetrating the myth of ROC sovereignty over the Diaoyutai Islands, Ma should focus his energy on earning a place for Taiwan in this and other drills. Someday that remote island could very well be Taiwan thrashing in the jaws of China.
Bob In-yu Yang is a former president of the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (2008-2011) and a former chairman of the World United Formosans for Independence — USA (2002-2006).
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